SELGE

The remains of the Ancient City of Selge at an altitude of 1250 m on the Taurus Mountains are located within the settlement unit of Zerk Village / Altınkaya. The area, enjoying the beauties of a deep canyon, waterfalls and mountains between pine forests is an ideal site for photographers. It is thought that the name Selge was derived from “Salaga” meaning “deep valley” in the Luwian/Etruscan language. Moreover, according to the Gök Turk/Turquoise phonetic writing Selge means Usoluğu-Suoluğu (Water Gutter-Wisdom Gutter). The city is reached by passing the 2 m wide Moka Bridge, made of a single large arch and stone blocks. According to the Hittite inscriptions, the area is situated within the Pithassa/Pisidia region. The city folk reputed for their fighting merits and heroic acts sided with the Trojan King Hector during the Trojan War, exacted tribute on some cities and, during the Persian occupation, served as mercenaries for them. The most important historical event of the city is the war of Pednelisos waged against Pednelisos in the north in which the city retreated, accepting the heavy conditions of the war. Later they were subordinated to King Amintas of the Galatians, which was a Nordic tribe just like themselves, except that in every epoch they used and maintained their own language. During the Byzantine epoch Vikings within the Byzantine army rebelled against the Byzantium and upon losing the battle fought against the Byzantine army, they escaped towards the Selge area, thus causing their traces to disappear. Owing to the displacement of the overland trade route which gradually connected Central Anatolia with the Pamphylian littoral towards Kremna and Ariassos, and the pillages, the people abandoned Selge and settled down by the coastal cities. It is understood that Selge was encircled with walls all around and that between the walls it had a great city gate, guarded by watch towers on both sides. The most important remains are the theatre, where there were 30 caveas on the lower floor and 15 caveas on the upper floor, and passage between caveas was ensured by 12 steep stairs. The spectators’ section is divided in the middle by a wide diazoma and the armchairs made of block stones on the diazoma are striking. According to the inscriptions, it is understood that competitions were organized here every 4 years and that the statues of the champion sportsmen were erected. In the godly space to the West are the remains of the chief god Zeus and his temples and in the south are those of the Temple of Sanda, Anatolian God of Masculinity and War. In the lower part of the godly space a water cistern used to collect rain water is visible. To the east of the ancient city was an Agora measuring 50x50 m in dimension, open on the southern side, with rows of shops on the other three sides surrounded by columns. The 120 m long structure to the north is thought to have been a basilica dating to the Byzantine era. Furthest east is the Necropolis of the city. On the northern slope of the Necropolis hill three great tomb houses are visible which have partly survived until the present time.

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Links to
- Wandering in Antalya
- Wandering in Turkey
- the Hitchhiker's guide of the Elftowners
- Where should I visit

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